Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said said that the country’s export profile has expanded significantly over the past decade, and that it is now witnessing progress in exports across the entire food value chain.
He made these remarks while addressing a networking lunch hosted by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in honor of the visiting Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce, Cham Nimul, and her delegation.
Business leaders and government officials also attended the event, voicing optimism about expanding Pakistan–Cambodia economic ties.
Minister Khan underscored Pakistan’s evolving export landscape, pointing to sustained growth in pharmaceuticals, strong performance in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, and increasing value addition in food exports as signs of structural transformation in the economy.
Had a productive delegation-level meeting with H.E. Cham Nimul in Islamabad to deepen 🇵🇰–🇰🇭 trade, industrial & supply-chain cooperation. Agreed to strengthen collaboration in textiles, pharma, SEZs, logistics & technical textiles—turning engagement into real business outcomes.… pic.twitter.com/nbjhHZYSjT
— Jam Kamal Khan (@jam_kamal) February 10, 2026
He also highlighted the emergence of new and expanding export categories, including engineering goods, home and electrical appliances, water bikes, tractors, cosmetics, and perfumes. These developments, he said, reflect growing industrial diversification and export maturity.
Outlining the country’s economic fundamentals, the commerce minister cited Pakistan’s favorable climate, abundant raw materials, skilled workforce, vibrant life sciences sector, capable financial institutions, English-language proficiency, and predictable judicial framework as key enablers of sustainable growth.
Referring to the macroeconomic outlook, he stated that Pakistan has transitioned from economic turmoil toward stability and is positioning itself for growth.
While acknowledging persistent challenges such as taxation, high cost of production, and ease of doing business, Khan said these issues are being addressed as a priority under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership.
He expressed confidence that ongoing reforms would help create space for sustained economic expansion in the coming months.
Read More: Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Ties with Cambodia
Cambodian Minister Nimul emphasized the importance of strengthening business-to-business (B2B) linkages and encouraged greater participation of Pakistani firms in Cambodia and the broader ASEAN region.
She noted that 166 Pakistani companies are already registered in Cambodia and identified significant opportunities for joint ventures and mutual investment.
Cham Nimul said efforts are underway to establish a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Cambodia to translate trade potential into tangible outcomes.
A PTA, she added, would facilitate faster market access, streamline clearance procedures, and provide a framework to support Pakistani investment, particularly in Cambodia’s healthcare sector and regional competitiveness.
She invited Pakistani entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in Cambodia’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which offer incentives such as tax holidays, import duty exemptions, and streamlined administrative services. She expressed particular interest in Pakistan’s footwear, surgical instruments, and pharmaceutical sectors.
ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood described bilateral trade potential as largely untapped and called for enhanced engagement between the two business communities to foster long-term commercial cooperation and supply-chain integration.
